Ventilating apparatus



April '28, 1942. c. D, NELSON 2,281,202

VENTILATING APPARATUS Filed April 11, 1940 Inventor I A tiorneys p l 1942- C. D. NELSON 2 2,281,202

VENTILATING APPARATUS Filed April 11, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I Q I Q Q Q Q I n -WQ \i" \&

3 L gs v 2 Inventor I I C/araace fi. 6/300 Attorneys Patented Apr. 28, 1942 VENTILATING APPARATUS Clarence D. Nelson, Mullan, Idaho, assignor of one-half to Edna Hanson, Wallace, Idaho Application April 11, 1940, Serial No. 329,153

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in ventilating and air circulating means particularly for mines, tunnels, etc., although it will be understood, of course, that the apparatus may be used for any purpose for which it may be found adapted and desirable.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a ventilating apparatus of the aforementioned character comprising a fan or blower, together with means operable by air under pressure for actuating said fan or blower.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a ventilating apparatus of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of another embodiment of the apparatus, the principal portion thereof being broken away in vertical longitudinal section.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof in particular, it will be seen that the reference numeral I designates an air tube or conduit of suitable material which is open at both ends, said conduit being of any desired length and diameter. Mounted centrally in the conduit I is a comparatively short, longitudinal shaft 2. The shaft 2 is journaled in suitable bearings 3 which are provided therefor on hangers 4 which are secured in the conduit I.

Mounted on the shaft 2 is a turbine which is designated generally by the reference numeral 5. The turbine 5 includes a hub 6 mounted on the shaft 2, from which hub blades 1 project. It will thus be seen that a screw type turbine is provided.

Mounted concentrically on the turbine 5 for rotation therewith is a fan or blower of the screw type which is designated generally by the reference numeral 8. The fan 8 comprises a ring or annulus 9 which is fixed on the free ends of the turbine blades 1. Then, projecting from the annulus 9 are blades I0.

Extending through the conduit I at an intermediate point is a metallic air pipe II. Connected to the air pipe II in the conduit I are branches I2 which are provided with nozzles or the like I3 for directing jets of air under pressure against the blades I of the turbine 5.

The reference numeral I4 designates an air line from a suitable source of supply. At spaced points the air line I4 is to be provided with valve controlled outlets, one of which is shown at I5. The reference numeral I6 designates a hose of suitable length which connects the air pipe II to the valve I5.

It is thought that the operation of the invention as thus far described will be readily apparent. Briefly, air from the line I 4 impinges the blades 1 for actuating the turbine 5 which, of course, also actuates the fan 8. Thus, air is drawn in one end of the tube I and discharged at the other end thereof. The jets from the nozzles I3 also assist in drawing air into the conduit I on the venturi principle. The air which is driven through the conduit I by the fan 8 mixes with the air which drives the turbine 5. The flexible hose I6 permits the device to be positioned as desired.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the reference numeral II designates a ventilating conduit extending into a tunnel or drift I8. Suitable hangers or supports I9 are provided for the ventilating conduit I'I. Paralleling the stationary conduit I I is a compressed air line.20 from a suitable source of supply. In other respects this form of the invention is substantially similar in construction to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Air from any suitable source is propelled through the conduit I1 to the desired location or locations in the mine or tunnel I8. Of course, by reversing the fan the apparatus may be utilized to exhaust foul air from the underground workings.

It is believed that the many advantages of a ventilating apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although preferred embodiments of said apparatus are as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that further modifications and changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

In a ventilating apparatus, a conduit forming member having an inlet end and an outlet end, a longitudinally extending shaft in the member spaced from the ends, means for rotatably supporting the shaft from the member, radiating blades connected with the shaft, a rim surrounding the blades and connected with their outer ends, fan blades radiating outwardly from the 5 rim, all of the blades being constructed and arranged to draw air through the inlet end of the conduit forming member and discharge the air through the outlet end thereof, a manifold in the conduit forming member between the firstmentioned blades and the inlet end of the member, jets carried by the manifold and arranged to discharge fluid forwardly against the firstmentioned blades to rotate the same, said fluid passing from the jets flowing toward the outlet end of the conduit member and means for supplying compressed fluid to the manifold.

CLARENCE D. NELSON. 

